Hypnogenic Paroxysmal Dystonia

The differential diagnosis of epileptic seizures, pseudoseizures, and paroxysmal dystonias is reviewed. A 10-year-old child with Hypnogenic Paroxysmal Dystonia, an unusual, newly described syndrome, is presented, illustrating the diagnostic evaluation of seizure-like episodes. The use of all-night video somnography as a useful diagnostic tool for a history of sleep-related paroxysmal motor episodes is presented. Treatment of the disorder is discussed in the context of accurate diagnosis as the therapies for these disorders are not interchangeable.